“Is that a new perfume?” Minako asked after the third DVD of hers and Usagi’s weekly late night romantic movie extravaganza. Normally, Makoto joined them, but she was sick, naturally insisting that she and Usagi held the event without her. It was also natural that Usagi and Minako would watch the same movies next week and try to remember when to start crying.

“Yeah,” Usagi answered, plucking at her skirt. “I just got it today. It’s supposed to smell like hyacinth.”

“It’s nice,” Minako complimented. Then she narrowed her eyes and said, “Why are you wearing it?”

Usagi blushed. “What? I just--"

Minako leaned forward and poked Usagi in the chest. “You’re the one who told me you never wore perfume unless you wanted to get Mamoru’s attention. And you told me that he’s on call tonight, so no fun, sexy times for you two.”

“Erm…” Usagi muttered, still plucking at her skirt. “About that…”

Minako raised an eyebrow. “There’s something wrong with the fun, sexy times?”

“Well… yes.” Usagi heaved a great sigh. “I’m guessing you’ve had guys… you know… go… down on you before?”

Minako snorted. “Usually not unless you want to reciprocate, and I got to tell you, that is just not my cup of--"

“Yeah, okay,” Usagi interrupted loudly, not caring to hear that much. “Did you… like it?”

Minako rolled her eyes. “Yes, of course I—oh.” She frowned. “Are you saying Mamoru’s… bad at it?”

“He’s horrible at it,” Usagi confessed, covering her face with her hands. “Or at least I think he is. I don’t know. It’s not like I have anything to compare it to.” She opened her fingers a bit, peering at Minako meaningfully.

“And you want me to… Ah. I see. Perfume for my benefit.” Minako giggled nervously. “I don’t know, Usagi. I mean it’s not like--"

“Everyone knows about you and Rei,” Usagi said dryly.

Minako’s shoulders slumped. “So you did hear us that one time at the hot springs, huh?”

“And I saw you that one time in the dressing room at the mall,” Usagi said.

“Really? I thought I closed the door.”

“Well, I was looking underneath it.”

“Why did you do that?”

“How else was I going to see you?”

“Fair enough.”

Usagi looked at Minako anxiously. “I know it’s sort of a weird request.”

Minako laughed. “I’ve heard weirder.”

“Yeah, we know about Haruka and Michiru too,” Usagi said.

Minako gaped. “Okay, we were alone in the house that time. There’s no way you--"

“Haruka talks a lot when she’s drunk,” Usagi explained.

Minako held her head in her hands. “So now I’m your go-to sex expert?”

“I’m sorry,” Usagi said, sounding truly apologetic. “It’s just… well, I don’t really want anyone else to… you know.”

Minako looked up at Usagi, an eyebrow raised. “Really?”

Usagi nodded earnestly. “I promise.”

Minako looked at Usagi, up at the ceiling, down at the floor, and then back to her friend again. After a moment she groaned and slipped off the couch, kneeling in front of Usagi. “I cannot believe you talked me into this.”

“You’re doing it? Oh, thank you-thank you-thank you!” Usagi paused and smirked, slipping one of her hands into Minako’s hair. “You know, if you’re really good, I wouldn’t mind reciprocating.”

That made Minako crack a smile. “Now that’s more like it.”